Monthly Archives: September 2017

Shri P P Chaudhary is a renowned name in Indian politics. He is one of the strongest knights in the army of Shri Narendra Modi, as the Union Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Justice; and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. He is a man of action who is fully committed to and is actively involved in getting innumerable farmers justice and in improving & uplifting the status of girls & women not only in his Pali Lok Sabha constituency but also in the entire State of Rajasthan and at the national level. His life story is an immense inspiration for youth in general and for people of all ages who have a white heat of desire to do great in life. Please read on for excerpts of his interview with Anam Kumar

Before becoming a Member of Parliament, or a Minister, you were a highly successful advocate, and used to farm with your father on your family land. What are your views on the current issue of farmers’ agitation? How has the government helped farmers as long-term solutions?

Yes. I have been in the law profession for the last 38 years and am also a senior advocate practicing in High Courts and Supreme Court. It is true that I have worked for the causes of farmers. I come from a family of farmers. My father trained me into various aspects of farming while I was young and I have seen farming from close quarters. I can understand the agony of the farmers and can empathize with them because I see they have been wronged both in the pre- and post-British era. The present agitation by the farmers is the result of accumulation of injustices meted out to farmers due to wrong policies in the last 60 years which impoverished the farmer and weakened his economic condition to such an extent that he is not able to withstand even minor disruptions due to market pricing patterns or due to nature’s fury and calamities. There are hardly any surpluses left with him be it in the form of grains, fodder or even savings.

To mitigate the problem of farmers, our PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has taken the right steps in the direction of reducing cost of farming while at the same time doubling the income of the farmers in the coming years. The most important step has been to bring about a scheme by which the Government is assisting the farmer to determine the health of the soil, the outcome of which will determine the amount of manure or fertilizer that is required by the soil. Then there has been emphasis on use of Neem-coated Fertilizers as well as cheaper crop insurance through Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. To me, in the past misaligned incentives have resulted in the overuse of insecticides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This has resulted in soil degradation. The PM’s roadmap of doubling farmer’s incomes through use of technology, integrated agricultural markets (through e-NAM), organic manure, cheaper crop insurance and cheaper loan assistance are steps in the right direction and are being welcomed by the farming community.

You have worked a lot for girl child education in Pali district, Rajasthan and generally in the country. Your wife has also helped you in this cause. Do you think women empowerment needs to be done politically, socially and financially at the same time? Please share with us what all you have been doing for girl child education and women empowerment.

Yes, my wife has been very active in the field of women empowerment and girl education. Women empowerment is the need of the hour. An empowered woman means an empowered family. And yes, as you rightly pointed out, this empowerment has to be multifaceted.

Politically, you need to create an environment where more women enter politics and take policy decisions in the interest of the society.

To make them socially empowered, you need to reduce their working time in the kitchens, provide clean toilets at homes and proper sanitation measures, thereby giving them a clean and healthy environment. To support the higher education of girls from rural areas, we need to provide safe and quality hostels for them in urban areas.

Financially we need to focus on giving them low-cost insurance schemes, essential work skills and better and safe work environments.

I am confident that our Prime Minister’s sincere efforts in introducing well-thought-out schemes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, etc. will create the kind of environment that is beneficial for the betterment of our society in the long run.

I have taken the initiative ever since I have become an MP to provide insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for 1,31,175 (One lakh thirty-one thousand one hundred seventy five) women of my Lok Sabha constituency, Pali, from my own salary.

“To mitigate the problem of farmers, our PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has taken the right steps in the direction of reducing cost of farming while at the same time doubling the income of the farmers in the coming years”
Please share with us some of your inspiring experiences as a Minister in the government.

I have developed a strong work ethic during my 38 years of law practice. After becoming a Minister, I spend a major chunk of my time in office be it in Shastri Bhawan or Electronics Niketan. Even my personal staff has now understood my habits and works with me late hours. I am encouraged by the motivation of my staff. They are enthusiastic about the work they do and the ideas that the Government wants to implement.

Earlier this year, when I got a chance to interact with the scientists working in the Ministry in the field of nanotechnology, I was extremely delighted to see their enthusiasm and commitment for undertaking pathbreaking research in the niche field. I was convinced that with such a set of dedicated scientists at work, we shall surely attain Hon’ble PM’s dream of creating a New India by the year 2022.

As the Union Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Justice, and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, please share with us the several development works your Ministries are conducting.

In the Ministry of Electronics & IT, we are working on ensuring that Digital India programme of the Government achieves its objectives and transforms India into a digital economy. While at one end, we are enrolling people for Aadhaar, on the other we are encouraging them to open bank accounts, link them with Aadhaar and use it to receive Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from the Government as well as move towards digital payments. At the same time, we have launched schemes to promote digital literacy such as PMGDISHA. We are also working towards promoting growth of electronics manufacturing in the country as well as promoting start-ups in the Electronics & IT Space. We are also promoting adoption of technology in the education and health sector across the country. Recently, we had a conference with the industry captains on how to make India a Trillion Dollar Digital Economy and everyone was unanimous that this is too small a target if we continue to formulate and implement industry-friendly policies.

In the Ministry of Law & Justice, our focus is on ensuring that vacancies of judges in the higher judiciary are filled at the earliest so to provide timely justice to the people and to reduce pendency of cases in the courts. We are also working on laws, which are the main cause of pendency of cases in courts. We have already repealed around 1,200 obsolete laws. We are also working on promoting alternate dispute resolution mechanisms to ease the burden of courts and to reduce tortuous litigation. Then there is the focus on providing technology in the courtrooms to make it easier for people to interact with the judicial process and reduce the time of litigation.

You are known to be a very grounded political leader. What is your source of inspiration and who is your role model?
I thank you for your remarks! I try my level best to help the people and when in doubt I seek guidance from my seniors and elders. My parents have been the biggest source of inspiration for me during school and college days. I have had to work very hard alongside my father to make both ends meet. It is hard to forget tilling the soil by using oxen and reaping the harvest in the blazing hot sun in Rajasthan. This instilled in me the importance of hard work, which has helped me in my career as a lawyer and now as a Minister.

I am also inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekanand for he brought spirituality in the realm of modernity in India. He made us realize our cultural and traditional roots and the richness of our heritage.

Role models, there are many.
Presently it is our Prime Minister who continues to inspire me. While I was doing fine in my legal profession all these years, I always had an urge to do something for my country. However, I was always held back by the thought that common people like me with only hard work and legal experience as their forte stood no chance in a system that rewarded the corrupt irrespective of their capabilities. However, inspired by the clarion call of Shri Narendra Modi Ji to provide a clean and transparent governance for the betterment of the country, I decided to take a plunge in politics. I was surprised by the trust Modi Ji has generated amongst our citizens. I witnessed it from close quarters when people voted me over my competitors by over 4 lakh votes in the 2014 General Elections.

You are the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Offices of Profit, and a Member of many other important Committees. What is the role of such Committees?

The work done by the Parliament in modern times is not only varied in nature, but considerable in volume. The time at its disposal is limited. It cannot, therefore, give close consideration to all the legislative, and other, matters that come up before it. A good deal of its business is, therefore, transacted by these Parliamentary Committees. These Committees examine draft Bills as well as the issues assigned to them in great detail, bring together all the stakeholders, assimilate their feedback and advise on the Bills and policy decisions of the Executive. While it is the final product such as an Act or a policy decision that gets greater publicity amongst the public, as it affects the lives of the people directly, the Committees are the ones which would have worked overboard to assist the Parliament and the Executive to get to the final product. These Committees are great tools of the Parliamentary system of functioning.

As Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Office of Profit, I, along with other members, did a large amount of work. We examined almost all the Ministries and Departments of the Central Government and reviewed four States. I was in the Committee for around two years, and it has been a satisfying piece of work for me as well as a great learning experience about the functioning of the parliamentary system in India.

You have been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since the age of eight. RSS has both a positive and a negative image in the minds of people. The reason is that people have created their own images based on certain factors. However, if you have to explain RSS and its ideology to the general public, how would you do it?
Yes. I have been associated with RSS since my childhood days as a Bal Sewak. And I must say with my experience that this association has given me a grounding and pride in our cultural tradition and heritage.

I do not feel that RSS can have negative image. It has been working since its genesis for the betterment of our society at the grassroots level sans discrimination on the grounds of caste or religion. You will always find it at the forefront of social service whenever any natural calamity strikes our countrymen. To my mind, negativity towards RSS may stem from lack of awareness about its selfless work.

How do you take success in your stride? What was the happiest and the most rewarding moment of your life?
Success in any sphere means more responsibility and more work. Throughout my career as a lawyer and now as a Minister, I feel satisfied by the virtue of hard work itself.

I am driven by bringing happiness to the poor, the downtrodden and to those who have lost hope from the system. You have to continuously toil with the single goal of betterment of lives of the people of the country.
There have been many rewarding moments in the last three years. Be it providing insurance cover for women in my constituency, or ensuring effective installation of solar lights, which is undertaken through CSR initiatives across my Constituency.

“I am driven by bringing happiness to the poor, the downtrodden & to those who have lost hope from the system. You have to continuously toil with the single goal of betterment of lives of the people”

National University of Singapore was founded in 1905 as a modest medical college with just 23 students. Today, it’s considered the flagship university of Singapore, and is counted among the best universities in Asia and the world. It is renowned for its excellent education structure, and for pioneering new models of education

Superlative Structure

Known as the oldest Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore, National University of Singapore is a publicly funded university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrolment and offers a broad-based curriculum, comprising multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment. It is also highly respected for its wide range of academic programmes, innovative entrepreneurship education, and experiential learning.

In 1980, the University of Singapore and Nanyang University were merged to establish the National University of Singapore in its present form. This was done by the government to pool the resources of these two institutions into one single and stronger entity along with the promotion of English as Singapore’s main language of education.

Believing that education is much beyond just acquisition of knowledge through textbooks and theories, NUS set up the Centre for Management of Innovation and Technopreneurship in 1988. The activities of NEC cover four areas – a business incubator, experiential education, entrepreneurship development, and entrepreneurship research. Further, the University’s rigorous academic programmes taught and supervised by world-class professors instill into students critical thinking abilities across disciplines and the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Currently, the National University of Singapore has 13 undergraduate and 4 graduate schools spread over three campus locations in Singapore, namely, Kent Ridge, Bukit Timah and Outram. It has 30 University-level Research Institutes and Centres as well.

The Bukit Timah campus of the university includes the Faculty of Law, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and research institutes.

Strengthening Roots & Wings

NUS helps thrive meaningful living-learning communities on its campus, with specialized residential college programmes. To supplement international-standard on-campus learning, it also offers off-campus opportunities to its students through its blended learning courses that integrate face-to-face learning with online learning. Through its Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG), it lets its students do internships with industry leaders and gather hands-on industry experience and future-ready expertise. To further harness the entrepreneurial mindset of its students, NUS started the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme in the year 2001.

With a holistic approach to develop personal and interpersonal skills of its students, NUS also initiated in January 2016 a foundational life skills programme to inspire its students towards lifelong learning and to profit from each such experiential learning. Acclaimed internationally for its high-calibre and innovative research in engineering, science & technology, biomedical sciences, and the humanities and social sciences, it conducts high-level research in collaboration with government, industry and NGOs, addressing real world issues through its 27 University-level Research Institutes and Centres.

NUS also serves as a launch pad for sporting champions and music geniuses. In addition, the Heads of States, Mr. Abdul Razak Hussein, Mr. Benjamin Sheares, Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, and S.R. Nathan had been students of NSU. Some other notable politicians who had been a part of NSU include Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Rais Yatim, who was Malaysia’s Minister for Information, Communications, and Culture & Mr. Ng Eng Hen, who is serving as Singapore’s Minister of Defense, at present.

Her journey is an inspirational saga that reminds the patriarchal world of the potential a woman entrepreneur has in her actions. Today, this 80-year-old billionaire has proved what a woman can do when she breaks the monotonous cycle of the stereotypical roles assigned to her by the society. Reaching ahead with a determined mind, she now focuses on creating more Indu Jains for establishing equilibrium in the society.

Ms. Jain’s enigmatic strength and astonishing achievements have certainly made an impact on the way people see women’s status in society. This epitome of women power graciously manages Times Group which is one of the largest media names in the country.

It is the result of her matchless determination that the Times Group has become one of the largest media moguls of the nation. The media publishing house of the Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd—owned by the Times Group—produces huge brand names in newspapers and magazines like the Times of India, The Economic Times, Femina, Times FM and the Filmfare. It also has a number of TV channels and radio stations to its credit like Zoom, Times Now, ET Now and Radio Mirchi.

Philosophies of Spirituality

Reflecting her spiritual philosophy in her own words, she once said, “In life whatever step I take, every step is for nothing but giving people the touch of spirituality.” This is what she aims to do through her initiatives.

Her spiritual heart also beats with the philosophies of peace and integrity. The Oneness Forum, formally launched by the President of India in 2003, also works under the leadership of Ms. Jain. In the year 2000, she addressed the United Nations at Millennium World Peace Summit. Spreading the message of Peace Within First, Ms. Jain spearheads a movement to spread the principles of peace across the world.

A passionate lover of art, she writes spiritual columns for Times Foundation. Ms. Jain is the sponsor of literature & culture and Founder President of the Ladies Wing of FICCI. She also works as chairperson of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust, which is India’s highest literary award giver.

Generosity Personified

Ms. Jain’s life reflects her passion, her zeal to reach for perfection and her dedicated soul. A role model for many women, she is one of the leading figures that actively support women empowerment and entrepreneurship. She motivates budding entrepreneurs & believes in their abilities to make way for themselves in the world.

Her versatility reflects through the initiatives she takes to bring positive transformations in the society. The philanthropic organization, Times Foundation, was the result of her sheer dedication towards the society’s welfare, running community services, research groups and relief funds for various disaster reliefs such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and epidemics.

While her foundation has received numerous accolades on national & international platforms, Ms. Jain has also been felicitated with many prestigious awards. She has been awarded the International Life Time Achievement Award by the ICW. She was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Indian govt. in 2016.

The Shoppers’ Paradise

From incredible shopping to five-star hotels. There is so much more to do in Dubai.

SHOP at Dubai Duty Free. From first-class customer service to excellent value for the money, a wide range of quality products and a world-class shopping environment, Dubai Duty Free is your first and last stop for all things retail. Our friendly and expert staff members are waiting to welcome you, but be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to take advantage of all the unbeatable bargains on offer.

If you can’t take the tour, though, you might like to know that you can enjoy the amazing Dubai Duty Free shopping experience online.

Founded in 1983, Dubai Duty Free recorded first-year sales of US$20 million and has grown into one of the biggest travel retail operator in the world with sales turnover of US$1.85 billion in 2016. Dubai Duty Free is the tax-free shopping haven in Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport covering 36,000 sqm and 2,500 sqm respectively.

PROMOTIONS Dubai Duty Free runs innovative and successful promotions: including the world-famous Finest Surprise Luxury Car draw, which began as a one-off in December 1989 and continues to capture the public’s imagination. To date, more than 1,660 travellers from 75 different countries have driven away with a luxury car following their purchase of a Dhs500 (US$138) ticket.

The success of the Finest Surprise led to the launch in 1999 of the Millennium Millionaire promotion to win US$1 million, which has captured the imagination of travellers around the globe. Tickets are priced at Dhs1,000 (US$276) each and limited to 5,000 ticket holders. As with the Finest Surprise draw, the Millennium Millionaire promotion has also seen 6 winners of $1 million winning it more than once. To date, DDF has awarded 250 winners of US$1 million.

VISIT The Irish Village. The little piece of Ireland in the heart of Dubai allows you to step back in time and visit pubs of old. Designed to look like a typical Irish village street, serving traditional Irish food, it’s a little slice of home away from home.

In December 2016, The Irish Village opened its doors to its second home at Riverland Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resorts. Recreating the impressive high ceilings and unique finishes of the original, the Irish Village has been taken to (two) new levels with a memorabilia collection that allows you to experience yesteryear. At The Irish Village in Riverland, you can experience true hospitality while enjoying the views overlooking the river and park attractions.

STAY at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel. Set in landscaped grounds overlooking Dubai Creek, the contemporary lifestyle hotel owned by Dubai Duty Free perfectly encompasses the modern luxury of the city. Enjoy access to the award-winning Akaru spa, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray private beach and complimentary access to Wild Wadi waterpark. Whether visiting for business or leisure, immerse yourself in the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel haven of tranquility.

EXPERIENCE the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Previously voted Best Venue by ATP World Tour players and home to the region’s premier tennis event, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the stadium has a capacity of 5,000. Watch as top tennis players such as Roger Federer and Andy Murray go head-to-head or enjoy the stadium in all its glory, post-tennis season, as it doubles as a leading concert venue.

Protinex is a Family Nutrition Brand with almost 60 years of Trusted Heritage. Being among India’s most Trusted Nutrition Brands by Doctors and Consumers alike, the Protinex range offers tailored nutrition for all members of the family across all stages of life. Not only is brand Protinex anchored around protein nutrition, but is also fortified with right amounts of carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins providing complete nourishment

Traditionally, Protinex has enjoyed the trust of several generations of doctors, and has been the highest prescribed brand in the category. The journey of Protinex started with medical giants like Dumex (1957), Pfizer (1972), and Wockhardt (2006). In 2012, the brand turned a new leaf in its history after being acquired by French Food & Beverage Major, Danone.

Protein Deficiency in Indian Diets

Indian diets are known to be carbohydrate rich and hence are often unbalanced from a nutritional standpoint. Several researches have indicated acute protein deficiency in Indian diets. Majority of Indians assume that home cooked food meets all our daily nutrition requirements, which is a myth. Researches have shown that as high as 80% Indian adults may have a diet deficient in proteins. Scientifically formulated Protinex contains 50% extra protein as compared to leading health drinks and thus helps fulfil this critical nutritional gap.

Protinex offers an extensive range with unique tailored variants, for consumers of different age groups and people with different physiological conditions.

True Synergy of a Medical & Consumer Journey

With a holistic offering for every member of the family, covering various stages of life, the brand has built a credible medical heritage amongst doctors with Junior Protinex, Mama Protinex & Diabetes Protinex. When acquired by Danone, Protinex had a rich medical heritage, demand being driven primarily by medical and physiological conditions. However since 2014, the brand has been at the vanguard of creating mass consumer awareness around importance of healthy nutrition. Today, in addition to pioneering new ideas in the field of nutritional sciences, the brand also engages with larger audiences through sharply targeted consumer marketing. This Consumer Marketing Strategy has received excellent response from the market as witnessed through the massive upsurge in business for the brand. In addition to the marketing strategy, the brand has also been making significant progress in coming up with new offerings to sensorially delight consumers.

…And the Success Continues

In a short span of 18 months, Protinex has transformed from being just a prescribed product to a movement which valorizes the cause of healthy nutrition in a country like India with poor nutritional status. Through its unique counseling programs, digital outreach programs and unique product portfolio, today Protinex is helping millions across India lead fuller and healthier lives. Business success and laurels for the team happen to be only a few of the drivers for the brand.

The Mission Ahead

Brand Protinex truly embodies Group Danone’s mission, “Bringing Health through Food to as many people as possible”. In line with this global ambition, the brand is gearing up to get into more meaningful segments for the Indian consumer. With a big nutritional skew to battle, brand Protinex will have many challenges and opportunities to play bigger roles in consumers’ lives and enabling them to live fuller and healthier lives.

With Danone’s global expertise in the field of Foods, Beverages and nutritional sciences, Protinex will be a brand to watch out for in the innovation space – not only with regards to new product ranges, but also services related to food sciences and creating better consumer awareness.

United World Group Holdings LLC is a business conglomerate and being run by a group of family offices operating in the areas of Real Estate, Gems & Jewels, Publishing & Research, Recruitment services and Media Consulting.